An estimated 45,000 schools across the United States contain asbestos-containing materials, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The approximately 3.7 million teachers and millions more support staff who work in these buildings face potential exposure from deteriorating insulation, floor tiles, ceiling materials, and other building components.
While teachers don’t typically handle asbestos directly, long-term environmental exposure in poorly maintained buildings can result in significant fiber inhalation. Research has documented elevated mesothelioma rates among school employees, particularly those who worked in older buildings during decades when asbestos management was minimal.
The Scope of Asbestos in Schools
The EPA estimates that asbestos-containing materials are present in approximately 107,000 school buildings nationwide. The most common locations include:
Floor materials: An estimated 78% of schools built before 1980 contain asbestos floor tiles or adhesive. Standard 9x9 inch floor tiles manufactured before 1980 typically contain 5-25% asbestos.
Ceiling materials: Acoustic ceiling tiles, spray-on ceiling texture, and fireproofing materials frequently contain asbestos. EPA surveys found asbestos ceiling materials in 65% of pre-1980 schools.
Pipe and boiler insulation: Heating systems in older schools used asbestos pipe wrap and boiler insulation. The EPA found thermal insulation containing asbestos in approximately 50% of schools built before 1970.
Wall materials: Asbestos-containing materials were used in wallboard, joint compound, and plaster. Textured wall coatings from the 1950s-1970s frequently contained asbestos.
HVAC systems: Duct insulation, air handlers, and heating equipment in older schools may contain asbestos. Maintenance of these systems can release fibers into occupied spaces.
Research on Teacher and School Staff Exposure
Several studies have examined asbestos exposure and mesothelioma risk among school employees:
Baur et al. (2016): A German study analyzing occupational mesothelioma cases found 7 cases among teachers with documented school asbestos exposure. The authors calculated an attributable risk suggesting teachers in asbestos-contaminated buildings had 1.8 times the mesothelioma risk of unexposed individuals.
Nishikawa et al. (2008): A Japanese study documented 54 mesothelioma cases among school employees over a 15-year period, with pathological confirmation of asbestos fiber burden in lung tissue.
AHERA compliance surveys (1988-2018): EPA evaluations found that 20% of schools were not in compliance with asbestos management requirements, potentially exposing staff and students to avoidable fiber release.
GAO Reports (2018, 2020): The Government Accountability Office found that EPA lacks comprehensive data on school asbestos conditions and that funding for AHERA compliance has been “insufficient” to address the scope of the problem.
How Exposure Occurs in Schools
Teachers and school staff can be exposed to asbestos through several mechanisms:
Deteriorating materials: Asbestos-containing materials that have aged, been damaged, or are in poor condition can release fibers continuously. Ceiling tiles that have become water-damaged, floor tiles that are cracked or worn, and insulation that has degraded all pose exposure risks.
Building maintenance: Routine maintenance activities like changing light fixtures, installing bulletin boards, or addressing plumbing issues can disturb asbestos materials. School maintenance staff face the highest direct exposure, but teachers in the affected areas can also be exposed.
Renovation and construction: School modernization projects that disturb existing materials can release asbestos fibers. If proper containment isn’t maintained, occupied areas can be contaminated. A 2019 EPA enforcement case involved a California school district that exposed staff and students during unauthorized renovation work.
HVAC system operation: Older heating and cooling systems can distribute asbestos fibers from deteriorating duct insulation throughout a building. Fiber counts in air samples have been found to increase when HVAC systems cycle on.
Physical damage: Activities that damage asbestos-containing materials, whether from moving furniture, student activity, or natural events, can cause fiber release. A 2017 study found detectable asbestos in air samples from classrooms where floor tiles showed visible damage.
AHERA: The Federal Law That Should Protect Schools
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of 1986 requires schools to:
- Inspect buildings for asbestos-containing materials
- Develop asbestos management plans
- Respond appropriately to deteriorating materials
- Provide notification to parents and staff
- Use trained workers for any asbestos-related activities
However, enforcement has been inconsistent. A 2018 EPA Office of Inspector General report found:
- 17% of school districts inspected had AHERA violations
- Average time since last EPA inspection was over 20 years
- Many violations involved failure to maintain required documentation
- Deteriorating asbestos materials were found in multiple schools
The 2020 GAO report concluded that EPA “does not have a national picture” of asbestos conditions in schools and recommended enhanced oversight.
Request access to your school’s asbestos management plan—this information must be available to employees. Report damaged building materials in writing. Document your work history including schools, dates, and building ages. Tell your doctor about potential asbestos exposure.
Risk Factors for School Employees
Certain factors increase exposure risk for teachers and school staff:
Building age: Schools constructed between 1950 and 1980 have the highest likelihood of containing asbestos. Staff in these buildings face greater potential exposure than those in newer facilities.
Building condition: Poorly maintained buildings with visible material deterioration, water damage, or deferred maintenance present higher exposure risk.
Duration of employment: Long-term employees accumulate more exposure over time. A teacher working 30 years in a school with asbestos materials has significantly more cumulative exposure than a first-year teacher.
Location within building: Staff working near mechanical rooms, in basement classrooms, or in areas with visible ceiling damage may face higher exposures.
Maintenance responsibilities: Custodians, maintenance workers, and facilities staff who directly handle building materials face higher exposure than classroom teachers.
Specific Occupations at Risk
Teachers: Daily presence in classrooms for extended periods means cumulative exposure to any airborne fibers. Elementary teachers may face higher exposure from floor-level activities in rooms with damaged floor tiles.
Custodians and maintenance staff: Direct contact with building materials during cleaning and repairs creates the highest exposure levels among school employees. Studies have documented asbestos-related disease rates 2-3 times higher among school maintenance workers.
Office staff: Administrative personnel who work in older office areas may face exposure from deteriorating materials, particularly ceiling tiles and HVAC systems.
Specialists and support staff: Music teachers, librarians, cafeteria workers, and others who work throughout a building may encounter asbestos in multiple locations.
Bus drivers: School buses manufactured before 1980 contained asbestos brake components, though this source is less significant than building materials.
What Schools Should Do
AHERA-compliant asbestos management includes:
Regular inspections: Tri-annual inspections by certified inspectors are required. Visual inspection should occur every six months.
Proper maintenance: Asbestos-containing materials should be maintained in good condition. Damaged materials should be repaired, encapsulated, or removed by trained workers.
Response actions: When asbestos materials are in poor condition, schools must take action. Options include repair, encapsulation (sealing), enclosure (covering), or removal.
Notification: Schools must notify parents and staff annually about asbestos conditions and management activities. Staff should have access to the asbestos management plan.
Work practices: Any activities that might disturb asbestos must be performed by properly trained workers using appropriate controls.
Protecting Yourself as a School Employee
School employees can take steps to reduce their risk:
Know your building: Request access to your school’s asbestos management plan. Under AHERA, this information must be available to employees.
Report concerns: Notify administrators about damaged building materials, water leaks, or visible deterioration. Document your reports in writing.
Avoid disturbing materials: Don’t attach items to walls or ceilings in ways that penetrate the surface. Don’t move damaged floor tiles.
Document your work history: Keep records of the schools where you’ve worked, including dates, building ages, and any asbestos-related incidents you’re aware of.
Communicate with healthcare providers: Inform your doctor about potential occupational asbestos exposure, particularly if you experience respiratory symptoms.
Legal and Compensation Options
Teachers and school staff diagnosed with mesothelioma may have legal claims against:
Asbestos product manufacturers: Companies that manufactured asbestos building materials used in schools may be liable. Many have established asbestos trust funds that pay claims.
School districts: In some cases, school districts that failed to comply with AHERA requirements or knowingly exposed employees to asbestos may bear responsibility.
Contractors: Companies that improperly handled asbestos during school renovations may be liable for resulting exposures.
Workers’ compensation: School employees may file workers’ compensation claims for occupational illness. Coverage varies by state and employment status.
Related Articles
- Asbestos in Schools: Risks and Regulations
- Environmental Asbestos Exposure
- Secondary Asbestos Exposure
- Mesothelioma Latency Period
- Legal Options for Mesothelioma
Are teachers really at risk for mesothelioma?▼
Yes. An estimated 45,000 schools contain asbestos materials. Long-term environmental exposure in poorly maintained buildings can result in significant fiber inhalation. Studies document elevated mesothelioma rates among school employees, particularly custodians and maintenance staff (2-3x higher than general population).
Where is asbestos found in schools?▼
Floor tiles (78% of pre-1980 schools), acoustic ceiling tiles (65% of pre-1980 schools), pipe and boiler insulation (50% of pre-1970 schools), wall materials, joint compound, HVAC systems, and plaster. Standard 9x9 floor tiles typically contain 5-25% asbestos.
What is AHERA and does it protect me?▼
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (1986) requires schools to inspect for asbestos, develop management plans, respond to deteriorating materials, and notify staff. However, 20% of schools are non-compliant and EPA hasn’t inspected many schools in over 20 years.
What should school employees do?▼
Request your school’s asbestos management plan (AHERA requires access). Report damaged materials in writing. Don’t disturb walls or ceilings. Document your work history. Tell your doctor about potential exposure. Consider legal claims if diagnosed with mesothelioma.